Medical disconnection guard

ABSTRACT

A medical disconnection guard  1  is disclosed comprising a plurality of fluid inlets  2  and a plurality of fluid outlets  3 . The fluid inlets  2  are directly connected to the fluid outlets by fluid connectors  3   a  provided within a housing. In the event that an infusion line or monitoring line is accidentally pulled, the infusion line or monitoring line can come away from one side of the disconnection guard  1  whilst the patient remains connected to the disconnection guard  1  on the other side. The fluid inlets  2  and outlets  3  are preferably self-sealing.

The present invention relates to a disconnection guard for preventingthe disconnection of infusion lines from a patient.

During major surgery a patient will usually have connected to themmultiple infusion lines and monitoring leads. Due to sterile surgicalfields and patient positioning, once the patient is positioned it isoften difficult to gain access to these infusion lines. Access may berequired for various reasons throughout surgery such as blood samplestaken, addition/removal of equipment/infusion lines and bolus amounts ofdrugs to be given. Infusion supply lines are usually prepared prior tosurgery and are connected to the patient during induction ofanaesthesia. Extension lines and an access port are often added to thelines in order to solve the problem of reduced access due to patientpositioning and avoiding disruption to the surgical field. However, thisalso lengthens the lines adding to the problem of lines becomingentangled and again increases the risk of trauma to the patient if thelines become caught on surrounding equipment.

GB 2,233,563 (Ainsworth) discloses a multiple interconnection apparatusfor infusion lines which aims to provide an apparatus which allows themedical practitioner to increase the number of available infusionportals without increasing the number of insertion devices. Theapparatus is designed to allow a greater number of inlet units to beconnected to a lesser number of outlet units. The connection is providedby a flexible cross-connector tube and each outlet unit has a pluralityof inlet ports to which can be connected more than one cross-connectortube. The tubes can be selectively rearranged which increases the riskof human error, and the introduction of infection into the infusionlines. The tubes connecting the inlet units and the outlet units are nothoused and are therefore in a position to be rearranged or disturbedwhen in use.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided adisconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusion linesfrom a patient, the disconnection guard comprising a plurality of fluidinlets, a plurality of fluid outlets, and one or more fluid connectors,each fluid connector connecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet and eachfluid connector being fixedly and non-removably secured to the fluidinlet and to the fluid outlet.

The fluid connector is described as being fixed and non-removablysecured between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. This should not betaken to mean that the fluid connector is incapable of being removedfrom between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, but simply that once thedisconnection guard is assembled during manufacture the fluid connectorsare not designed or intended to be removed from their position withinthe disconnection guard. Even if the fluid connectors can be detachedfrom the fluid inlet and/or outlet, they are preferably of a length suchthat they can only be connected between a given inlet and acorresponding outlet. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment helps toprevent infusion lines being wrongly connected which is a significantproblem with the arrangement disclosed in GB 2,233,563.

The disconnection guard provides a way of connecting infusion lines andelectrical monitoring leads to a patient so that the patient is isolatedfrom direct connection to surrounding equipment, and thus safeguardingthe patient from possible trauma caused by pulled or tangled lines. Thedisconnection guard also provides a “point of reference” therebyenabling immediate access to all infusion lines for sampling,administration of bolus drugs, and addition/removal of equipment such asfluid warmers, as well as providing a common point of connection forelectrical leads. The disconnection guard also reduces the risk of humanerror. For example, each fluid connector is kept separate and theapparatus does not allow connection between infusion lines.

The disconnection guard may be connected to infusion equipment wheneverthere are a plurality of infusion lines so that if at any time infusionlines are accidentally pulled, or caught on any equipment, tension inthe infusion lines will only reach the disconnection guard and not thepatient, thus avoiding possible trauma. The disconnection guard can beused wherever a patient has a plurality of infusion lines and/orelectrical monitoring leads including operating theatres, Intensive CareUnits (“ITUs”), coronary care, Magnetic Resonance Imaging etc.

Each fluid connector preferably connects a single fluid inlet to asingle fluid outlet so as to prevent fluid from one infusion line fromcoming into contact with fluid from another infusion line. Thedisconnection guard therefore keeps the flow of liquid associated witheach infusion line separate.

The disconnection guard preferably comprises two, three, four, five, sixor more than six fluid inlets and/or fluid outlets.

The disconnection guard preferably has a plastic housing in which thefluid connectors are located and on which the fluid inlets and the fluidoutlets are provided. The housing prevents access to the fluidconnectors and, in particular, prevents changes being made to thearrangement of the fluid inlets, the fluid outlets and the fluidconnectors thereby reducing the risk of human error. The housing alsoprovides protection for the fluid inlets, the fluid outlets and thefluid connectors.

The disconnection guard may be arranged so that the fluid inlets aremounted on one side of the housing and the fluid outlets are mounted onan opposed side of the housing.

Each fluid connector preferably comprises plastic tubing. Furthermore,at least a majority of each fluid connector may be substantiallytransparent in order to allow the user to view the flow of fluid throughthe connector.

The disconnection guard may preferably have one or more viewing windowsfor providing a view of at least a portion of one or more of the fluidconnectors. The viewing windows may, for example, comprise a flap or theviewing windows may comprise a transparent portion. Alternatively oradditionally, at least a portion, preferably the whole, of thedisconnection guard may be transparent so at least a portion of one ormore of the fluid connectors is visible. It is advantageous to be ableto view the fluid connectors before, during and after use so that a usercan be confident that the flow of fluid through the apparatus isarranged correctly.

The disconnection guard may further comprise means for indicating whichinfusion line should be connected to a fluid inlet and/or a fluidoutlet. The disconnection guard may, for example, be coloured or markedin a similar way to the corresponding infusion line to ensure thecorrect connection when connecting infusion lines to the disconnectionguard. The uppermost surface of the disconnection guard may also havesegmented markings indicating the corresponding fluid inlets and fluidoutlets of the disconnection guard.

The disconnection guard may further comprise an attachment means forattaching the disconnection guard to a patients' bed, transfer trolley,stretcher, operating table or the like. Preferably, the attachment meanscomprises a strap.

The disconnection guard may further comprise one or more access ports.Each access port is in fluid connection with a fluid connector. Theaccess port enables a fluid to be injected or otherwise introduced intoa fluid connector and/or a fluid to be withdrawn from the fluidconnector. The access ports provide immediate access to the infusionlines which can be needed at any time during use in order to take bloodsamples, to give bolus amounts of drugs or to change infusion liquids.

The disconnection guard may further comprise a valve selector devicewhich allows fluid to flow from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, fluidto flow from an access port to a fluid outlet, fluid to flow from anaccess port to a fluid inlet without flowing to a fluid outlet, fluid toflow simultaneously from a fluid inlet and from an access port to afluid outlet or fluid to flow from a fluid outlet to an access portwithout flowing to a fluid inlet. In one embodiment the selector devicemay comprise a three way valve. It is advantageous to be able to controlthe flow of fluid through the fluid connector and to and from the accessport and fluid connector.

The disconnection guard may further comprise one or more flow controldevices to selectively control the flow of fluid i.e. flow rate throughthe fluid connector.

The disconnection guard preferably further comprises means forpreventing the disconnection of one or more electrical leads from apatient. The electrical leads may, for example, comprise a leadconnected to an electrocardiograph (“ECG”) sensor and/or monitor or alead connected to an oxygen saturation sensor and/or monitor.

According to a preferred embodiment, one or more plugs or sockets fromone or more electrical leads may also be received in use within or onthe disconnection guard. For example, the plug and socket may be locatedwithin a recess within the disconnection guard. According to thisembodiment, electrical monitoring apparatus would be connected to a leadhaving a plug (socket). The plug (socket) would mate with a socket(plug) connected to another lead which was connected to a sensorattached to the patient. The plug and socket are preferably clamped tothe disconnection guard. Therefore, if the lead attached to theelectrical monitoring apparatus was accidentally pulled, the plug andsocket would separate but the lead attached to the patient wouldessentially be undisturbed.

According to a less preferred embodiment, the electrical monitoringequipment may be directly connected to a patient sensor without therebeing an intermediate plug/socket. In such circumstances the monitoringlead is clamped to the disconnection guard and the lead may be arrangedto come away from the monitoring equipment in the event that the lead isaccidentally pulled.

The disconnection guard may further comprise one or more clamps forsecuring one or more leads, plugs or sockets within or on thedisconnection guard.

The fluid inlets preferably comprise push-on couplings such as luer-slipfittings for connection to infusion lines. The couplings therefore allowinfusion lines connected to the couplings to come away from the fluidinlets in the event that an infusion line is accidentally pulled orbecomes tangled or pulled. This prevents causing the patient any trauma.

Whereas the connections to the fluid inlets of the disconnection guardpreferably deliberately allow for infusion lines to come away from theinlet connector in the event that they are accidentally pulled, thefluid outlets preferably comprise locking (e.g. screw) couplings forconnection of the infusion lines which run from the disconnection guardto the patient. Preferably, the locking couplings comprise luer-lockcouplings. The fluid outlets preferably comprise couplings whichsubstantially prevent infusion lines connected to the couplings comingaway from the fluid outlets in the event that an infusion line ispulled.

In the present application the term “fluid inlet coupling” is used todescribe a coupling which normally connects infusion equipment such asgravity-fed infusion devices or syringe drivers to the disconnectionguard. Similarly, the term “fluid outlet coupling” is used to describe acoupling which normally connects the disconnection guard to an infusionline which is directly connected to the patient.

The fluid inlets and less preferably the fluid outlets may comprisesubstantially self-sealing couplings thereby preventing fluids and/orblood leaking out. The couplings also substantially prevent air fromentering the infusion lines should the infusion lines becomedisconnected, either intentionally or accidentally.

The disconnection guard may further comprise one or more clips forsecuring one or more additional infusion lines such as Epidural lines.It is important that Epidural lines are kept separate from infusionlines so as to ensure that drugs are not accidentally introduced in toan Epidural line rather than in to an infusion line. The separate clipshelp to reduce the chance of an Epidural line becoming tangled whilstalso ensuring that the Epidural line is not mistaken for an infusionline.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided adisconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusion andelectrical lines from a patient, the disconnection guard comprisingmeans for securing one or more electrical connectors, a plurality offluid inlets, a plurality of fluid outlets and a plurality of fluidconnectors, each fluid connector connecting a fluid inlet to a fluidoutlet, each fluid connector being fixedly and non-removably secured tothe fluid inlet and to the fluid outlet wherein each fluid connectorcomprises a self-sealing access port through which a fluid may beintroduced into and/or withdrawn from the fluid connector.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided afluid disconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusionlines from a patient, the disconnection guard comprising a plurality offluid inlets, a plurality of fluid outlets and a plurality of fluidconnectors, each fluid connector connecting a single fluid inlet to asingle fluid outlet and each fluid connector being fixedly andnon-removably secured to the fluid inlet and to the fluid outlet.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is providedmedical infusion equipment comprising one or more infusion devices forsupplying one or more infusion fluids, a disconnection guard, and aplurality of infusion lines connecting the one or more infusion deviceswith the disconnection guard wherein the disconnection guard comprises aplurality of fluid inlets, a plurality of fluid outlets and a pluralityof fluid connectors, each fluid connector connecting a single fluidinlet to a single fluid outlet and each fluid connector being fixedlyand non-removably secured to the fluid inlet and to the fluid outlet.

The medical infusion equipment preferably further comprises one or moreelectrical monitoring devices and means for securing one or moreelectrical connectors and/or leads attached to one or more sensors tothe disconnection guard.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided adisconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusion linesfrom a patient, the disconnection guard comprising a housing, aplurality of fluid inlets and fluid outlets mounted on the housing and aplurality of substantially transparent fluid connectors provided withinthe housing, each fluid connector connecting a fluid inlet to a fluidoutlet wherein the housing comprises a transparent portion so that atleast a portion of the fluid connectors is viewable through thetransparent portion.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of preventing the disconnection of infusion lines comprising:providing a disconnection guard comprising a plurality of fluid inlets,a plurality of fluid outlets, and at least one fluid connectorconnecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, the fluid connector beingfixedly and non-removably secured to the fluid inlet and to the fluidoutlet; attaching the disconnection guard to a patient's bed, transfertrolley, stretcher or operating table; and attaching one or moreinfusion devices to the disconnection guard.

The method may further comprise attaching one or more infusion linesfrom the disconnection guard to a patient.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of transferring a patient comprising: disconnecting infusionequipment from a disconnection guard; moving a patient, the patientbeing connected to the disconnection guard by infusion lines; andconnecting transit infusion equipment to the disconnection guard;wherein the disconnection guard comprises a plurality of fluid inlets, aplurality of fluid outlets, and at least one fluid connector connectinga fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, the fluid connector being fixedly andnon-removably secured to the fluid inlet and to the fluid outlet.

Preferably, the method further comprises: disconnecting electrical leadsfrom the disconnection guard prior to moving the patient; and connectingtransit monitoring equipment to the disconnection guard; wherein thestep of moving the patient comprises moving the patient whilst thepatient is additionally connected to one or more electrical leads.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided adisconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusion linesfrom a patient, the disconnection guard comprising: a housing, aplurality of fluid inlets and fluid outlets mounted on the housing andone or more fluid connectors provided in the housing, each fluidconnector connecting a single fluid inlet to a single fluid outlet.

Although according to the preferred embodiment the disconnection guardcomprises a housing wherein fluid connectors are protected within saidhousing, accordingly to less preferred embodiments the fluid inlets,outlets and connectors may be provided on a substantially flat board.According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided adisconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusion linesfrom a patient, the disconnection guard comprising: a board, a pluralityof fluid inlets and fluid outlets mounted on the board and one or morefluid connectors provided on the board, each fluid connector connectinga single fluid inlet to a single fluid outlet.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a disconnection guard according to thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the disconnection guard with part of thehousing removed showing a fluid connector according to the preferredembodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the disconnection guard accordingto the preferred embodiment with a means for clamping one or more plugs;

FIG. 4 shows a transfer trolley together with transit monitoringequipment and leads, and transit infusion equipment and linesappropriately routed;

FIG. 5 shows a patient on a bed, a disconnection guard according to thepreferred embodiment, and the positioning of infusion/monitoringequipment lines and leads;

FIG. 6 shows a patient on a transfer trolley, a disconnection guardaccording to the preferred embodiment, and transit monitoring andinfusion equipment;

FIG. 7 shows how gravity fed infusion devices may be connected to adisconnection guard according to the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 8 shows a patient on an operating table, a disconnection guardaccording to the preferred embodiment, and the positioning ofinfusion/monitoring equipment lines and leads.

A preferred disconnection guard will now be described with reference toFIG. 1. The disconnection guard 1 in one embodiment comprises six fluidinlets 2 and six fluid outlets 4. A fluid connector (not shown) withinthe housing connects a fluid inlet 2 to a fluid outlet 4. An access port3 may be provided for each fluid connector. A three way valve 5 ispreferably provided which enables the flow of fluid through the deviceto be controlled. Plugs 6,7 may be secured to the disconnection guard byclamps 8,9. Infusion lines (not shown) from infusion equipment (notshown) are preferably provided with a male connection which connects tofluid inlets 2 which have a self-sealing female connection. Infusionlines (not shown) connecting the disconnection guard 1 to the patientare preferably provided with female seal-sealing connectors forconnecting to fluid outlets 4 which are preferably provided with maleconnections. The male connections are not self-sealing.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of part of the disconnection guard 1. The fluidinlets 2 and fluid outlets 4 can be seen to be directly connected toeach other by a fluid connector 3 a. Access port 3 is shown as being influid connection with the fluid connector 3 a and the three way valve 5.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the disconnection guard 1 andshows in particular how a plug 6 connected to an electrical monitoringlead may be secured to the disconnection guard 1 by a clamp 8.

FIG. 4 shows a transfer trolley 15 prior to moving a patient. Transitinfusion supply lines 12 and electrical monitoring leads 13 extend fromtransit infusion and monitoring equipment 14 to which the patient willbe connected whilst in transit. The transit infusion supply lines 12 areappropriately routed so that they are ready to be connected to adisconnection guard 1 once the patient has been moved to the transfertrolley 15.

FIG. 5 shows a patient on the transfer trolley 15 still connected toIntensive Care Unit (“ITU”) infusion equipment 17 and ITU monitors 19via a disconnection guard 1. The ITU infusion equipment 17 is shownconnected to fluid inlets 2 on the disconnection guard 1 by infusionlines 16. Other infusion lines 20 are shown running from thedisconnection guard 1 and will be connected to the patient. The ITUmonitors 19 are connected to the patient by electrical monitoring leads18,25 via intermediate plugs 6,7 and sockets 61,71 which are secured tothe disconnection guard 1 by clamps 8,9. When moving the patient, theinfusion supply lines 16 to which the disconnection guard 1 wasconnected are disconnected from their relevant fluid inlets 2 on thedisconnection guard 1. The electrical monitoring leads 18 extending fromthe ITU monitors 19 to which the patient is currently connected arelikewise unplugged from the plugs 6,7. The patient is then moved from abed to the transfer trolley 15. The disconnection guard 1, and theinfusion lines 20 and electrical leads 21 which connect the patient tothe disconnection guard 1 are moved with the patient.

FIG. 6 shows the patient when immediately transferred to the transfertrolley 15. The disconnection guard 1, the infusion lines 20 and theelectrical monitoring leads 25 which are transferred with the patientremain in place and transit infusion and monitoring equipment 14 arethen connected to the fluid inlets 2 and the plugs 6,7 situated on thedisconnection guard 1 by transit infusion lines 12 and transitelectrical monitoring leads 13 respectively. It is preferable for thedisconnection guard 1 to be situated and remain at the head of thepatient throughout the manoeuvre and for the infusion lines from thedisconnection guard 1 to remain connected to the patient.

FIG. 7 shows infusion supply lines from a plurality of gravity fedinfusion devices. The infusion supply lines may include CVP andArteriole pressure transducing lines which are prepared and primed in aconventional manner. However, these are not connected directly to thepatient but are connected to the relevant inlet connectors 2 on thedisconnection guard 1. Patient supply infusion lines are connected tothe relevant outlet connectors 4 and once primed are connected to thepatient during induction of anaesthesia. Infusion fluid may also besupplied by other means to the disconnection guard 1 such as, forexample, by way of one or more syringe drivers.

FIG. 8 shows a patient who has been transferred from a transfer trolley15 to an operating table. The transit infusion and monitoring equipment14 shown in FIG. 6 can be replaced with theatre infusion equipment 22and theatre monitoring equipment 23.

Connecting the patient to the theatre monitors 23 and theatre infusionequipment 22 via the disconnection guard 1 prior to surgical preparationallows immediate access to infusions to be gained via the access ports 3without causing disruption to the surgical team or the patient duringsurgery. When the surgery is completed the theatre infusion supply lines24 are disconnected from the fluid inlets 2 and the plugs 6,7 arereleased from the disconnection guard 1. The disconnection guard 1remains connected to the patient via infusion lines 20 and is used toconnect the patient to monitors/infusion equipment thereafter.

1. A disconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusionlines from a patient, said disconnection guard comprising: a pluralityof fluid inlets; a plurality of fluid outlets; and one or more fluidconnectors, each said fluid connector connecting a fluid inlet to afluid outlet and each said fluid connector being fixedly andnon-removably secured to said fluid inlet and to said fluid outlet.
 2. Adisconnection guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said fluidconnector connects a single fluid inlet to a single fluid outlet.
 3. Adisconnection guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disconnectionguard comprises two, three, four, five, six or more than six fluidinlets and/or fluid outlets.
 4. A disconnection guard as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein said fluid connectors arelocated within said housing and wherein said fluid inlets and said fluidoutlets are provided on said housing.
 5. A disconnection guard asclaimed in claim 4, wherein said fluid inlets are mounted on one side ofsaid housing and said fluid outlets are mounted on an opposed side ofsaid housing.
 6. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 1, whereineach said fluid connector comprises plastic tubing.
 7. A disconnectionguard as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a majority of each saidfluid connector is substantially transparent.
 8. A disconnection guardas claimed in claim 1, wherein said disconnection guard comprises one ormore viewing windows for providing a view of at least a portion of oneor more of said fluid connectors.
 9. A disconnection guard as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of said disconnection guard istransparent so at least a portion of one or more of said fluidconnectors is visible.
 10. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 1,further comprising means for indicating which infusion line should beconnected to a fluid inlet and/or a fluid outlet.
 11. A disconnectionguard as claimed in claim 1, further comprising attachment means forattaching said disconnection guard to a patients' bed, transfer trolley,stretcher, operating table or the like.
 12. A disconnection guard asclaimed in claim 11, wherein said attachment means comprises a strap.13. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein saiddisconnection guard further comprises one or more access ports, eachsaid access port being in fluid connection with a said fluid connector.14. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 13, wherein each saidaccess port enables a fluid to be injected or otherwise introduced intoa fluid connector and/or a fluid to be withdrawn from said fluidconnector.
 15. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 13, whereineach said access port is substantially self-sealing.
 16. A disconnectionguard as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a selector device whichallows one or more of the following: (i) fluid to flow from a fluidinlet to a fluid outlet; (ii) fluid to flow from an access port to afluid outlet; (iii) fluid to flow from an access port to a fluid inletwithout flowing to a fluid outlet; (iv) allowing fluid to flowsimultaneously from a fluid inlet and from an access port to a fluidoutlet; and (iv) fluid to flow from a fluid outlet to an access portwithout flowing to a fluid inlet.
 17. A disconnection guard as claimedin claim 1, wherein said disconnection guard further comprises one ormore flow control devices, each said flow control device being used toselectively control the flow of fluid through a fluid connector.
 18. Adisconnection guard as claimed in claim 17, wherein each said flowcontrol device comprises a three way valve.
 19. A disconnection guard asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said disconnection guard further comprisesmeans for preventing the disconnection of one or more electrical leadsfrom a patient.
 20. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 19,wherein said one or more electrical leads are selected from the groupconsisting of: (i) a lead connected to an electrocardiograph (“ECG”)sensor and/or monitor; and (ii) a lead connected to an oxygen saturationsensor and/or monitor.
 21. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 19,wherein one or more plugs or sockets from one or more electrical leadsare received in use within or on said disconnection guard.
 22. Adisconnection guard as claimed in claim 19, further comprising one ormore clamps for securing one or more leads, plugs or sockets within oron said disconnection guard.
 23. A disconnection guard as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said fluid inlets comprise push-on couplings forconnection to an infusion line.
 24. A disconnection guard as claimed inclaim 23, wherein said push-on couplings comprise luer-slip couplings.25. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluidinlets comprise couplings which allow infusion lines connected to saidcouplings to come away from said fluid inlets in the event that aninfusion line is pulled.
 26. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim1, wherein said fluid outlets comprise locking couplings for connectionto an infusion line.
 27. A disconnection guard as claimed in claim 26,wherein said locking couplings comprise luer-lock couplings.
 28. Adisconnection guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid outletscomprise couplings which substantially prevent infusion lines connectedto said couplings coming away from said fluid outlets in the event thatan infusion line is pulled.
 29. A disconnection guard as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said fluid inlets and/or said fluid outlets comprisesubstantially self-sealing couplings.
 30. A disconnection guard asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more clips for securingone or more additional infusion lines.
 31. A disconnection guard forpreventing the disconnection of infusion and electrical lines from apatient, said disconnection guard comprising: means for securing one ormore electrical connectors; a plurality of fluid inlets; a plurality offluid outlets; and a plurality of fluid connectors, each fluid connectorconnecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, each said fluid connectorbeing fixedly and non-removably secured to said fluid inlet and to saidfluid outlet; wherein each said fluid connector comprises a self-sealingaccess port through which a fluid may be introduced into and/orwithdrawn from said fluid connector.
 32. A fluid disconnection guard forpreventing the disconnection of infusion lines from a patient, saiddisconnection guard comprising: a plurality of fluid inlets; a pluralityof fluid outlets; and a plurality of fluid connectors, each fluidconnector connecting a single fluid inlet to a single fluid outlet andeach said fluid connector being fixedly and non-removably secured tosaid fluid inlet and to said fluid outlet.
 33. Medical infusionequipment comprising: one or more infusion devices for supplying one ormore infusion fluids; a disconnection guard; and a plurality of infusionlines connecting said one or more infusion devices with saiddisconnection guard; wherein said disconnection guard comprises aplurality of fluid inlets, a plurality of fluid outlets and a pluralityof fluid connectors, each said fluid connector connecting a single fluidinlet to a single fluid outlet and each said fluid connector beingfixedly and non-removably secured to said fluid inlet and to said fluidoutlet.
 34. Medical infusion equipment as claimed in claim 33, furthercomprising one or more electrical monitoring devices and wherein saiddisconnection guard further comprises means for securing one or moreelectrical connectors and/or leads attached to one or more sensors tosaid disconnection guard.
 35. A disconnection guard for preventing thedisconnection of infusion lines from a patient, said disconnection guardcomprising: a housing; a plurality of fluid inlets and fluid outletsmounted on said housing; and a plurality of substantially transparentfluid connectors provided within said housing, each said fluid connectorconnecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet; wherein said housingcomprises a transparent portion so that at least a portion of said fluidconnectors is viewable through said transparent portion.
 36. A method ofpreventing the disconnection of infusion lines comprising: providing adisconnection guard comprising a plurality of fluid inlets, a pluralityof fluid outlets, and at least one fluid connector connecting a fluidinlet to a fluid outlet, said fluid connector being fixedly andnon-removably secured to said fluid inlet and to said fluid outlet;attaching said disconnection guard to a patient's bed, transfer trolley,stretcher or operating table; and attaching one or more infusion devicesto said disconnection guard.
 37. A method as claimed in claim 36,further comprising attaching one or more infusion lines from saiddisconnection guard to a patient.
 38. A method of transferring a patientcomprising: disconnecting infusion equipment from a disconnection guard;moving a patient, said patient being connected to said disconnectionguard by infusion lines; and connecting transit infusion equipment tosaid disconnection guard; wherein said disconnection guard comprises aplurality of fluid inlets, a plurality of fluid outlets, and at leastone fluid connector connecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, saidfluid connector being fixedly and non-removably secured to said fluidinlet and to said fluid outlet.
 39. A method as claimed in claim 38,further comprising: disconnecting electrical leads from saiddisconnection guard prior to moving said patient; and connecting transitmonitoring equipment to said disconnection guard; wherein the step ofmoving said patient comprises moving said patient whilst said patient isadditionally connected to one or more electrical leads.
 40. Adisconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusion linesfrom a patient, said disconnection guard comprising: a housing; aplurality of fluid inlets and fluid outlets mounted on said housing; andone or more fluid connectors provided in said housing, each said fluidconnector connecting a single fluid inlet to a single fluid outlet. 41.A disconnection guard for preventing the disconnection of infusion linesfrom a patient, said disconnection guard comprising: a board; aplurality of fluid inlets and fluid outlets mounted on said board; andone or more fluid connectors provided on said board, each said fluidconnector connecting a single fluid inlet to a single fluid outlet.